Diversity of freshwater diatoms from few silica rich habitats of Assam, India
Abstract
Diatoms are a ubiquitous class of phytoplankton of extreme importance for the biogeochemical cycling of minerals such as silica. Few places of Nagaon district of Assam, India viz., Jiajuri, Borhola, Thanajuri and Chapanala have been recognized as the highest silica zones by Geological Survey of India. No any research has been conducted to explore the diatom diversity at this important silica rich habitat. In the present investigation, the morphology and diversity of freshwater diatom species were investigated during May 2012 to April 2013. The samples were subjected to acid wash treatment followed by microscopic observations. Altogether 103 species of diatoms belonging to 20 genera were recorded. Occurrence of diatom varied in all the four different study sites. The dominant genera includes: Stauroneis, Kobayasiella, Eunotia, Pinnularia, Nitzschia, Gomphonema, Frustulia, Surirella, Achnanthes, Rhopalodia, Navicula, Synendra, Encyonema, Achnanthidium, Cymbella, Hippodonta, Tabularia, Actinella, Encyonopsis and Luticola. Notably, all the diatom species belonged to pennate type.
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